Showing posts with label Armchair BEA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armchair BEA. Show all posts

Sunday, 29 May 2011

Armchair BEA giveaways galore winners!

It's almost Monday -  time to announce the winners of my Armchair BEA giveaway.
Let me remind that this time  two e-books were up for grabs; more precisely two copies of "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr.

The winners were selected using the service of RANDOM.ORG site  and it is my pleasure to announce  that the e-books have been won by:

Audra and J.L. Campbell




The happy winners have been contacted. Thanks for participating, everyone! Those who didn't win - better luck next time!

Friday, 27 May 2011

Armchair BEA Day 5: Blogging about blogging


Today's topic concern how to blog; bloggers are supposed to reveal some of their secrets, like technical tips and rules they impose on themselves and their visitors. Not that I have a lot to say - I am still learning the ropes.

Well, I think the most important rule on my blog is to write honestly about books I review. Sometimes my reviews might sound a bit harsh but I always try to do a book justice. If I don't like it I state clearly why, often giving examples. I definitely think that constructive criticizm is the best gift you can give to anybody. It might hurt at the beginning but it will be beneficial in the long term. If I write an essay I choose a topic that really interests me - otherwise there is no need to write anything at all. Your personal commitment will be clear for every reader. It is the feature which makes your blog different, fresh and interesting. Be yourself and show it!

Another rule is to react to feedback from my readers. I try to answer every single person, anonymous or not. I highly appreciate that you take time and effort to comment and I suppose every comment deserves an answer (apart from spam but there is an answer too - I delete it ;) ).

Now balancing life and blogging. Sometimes I feel I spend too much time on my blog and generally, in front of my computer. I try to take a day "off" every week but it is not always possible, for different reasons. If I am personally engaged in a book or in a story it is hard to me to let it go and progress to a new topic. Now question time for my readers - I would be pleased if you answered at least one of these questions in your comment! Thanks in advance!


  • What is important to you as a blogger?
  • How do you choose books/topics for your blog?
  • How do you balance life and blogging?
  • What would you like to change on your blog in the future?






Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Armchair BEA Day 3: A few of my favourite blogs and bloggers

Today is the appreciation day - I am not going to interview anyone but I am going to pay off my debt to some tiny extend mentioning here some of my fav blogs so far - I do owe a bit to several people who have shown me the way - they also supported and encouraged my blogging efforts from the very beggining. Here are blogs which never cease to inspire me, broaden my horizons and make me laugh at the same time (priceless qualities).
Brooke from Brooke Bluestoking Guide is an amazing blogger and reviewer who shares my taste when it comes to YA fiction and whose reviews are not only accurate but also very incisive.After reading her blog I wanted to start my own. Consider it the highest measure of success.
The Red Witch from Distracting From the Now can teach you a thing or two about Latin world and Medieval times and she does it always in such a way that you actually enjoy learning! If every history teacher was like her children wouldn't like to return home from school...
Blodeuedd from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, along with her friends Lis and Anna, writes incredible reviews of dystopias, urban fantasy, historical romances, fantasy fiction and different nobly pink and frilly romances as well - I spent many happy moments on her blog and my appreciation for it will be eternal - thank you very much my lady, I am looking forward to your every comment!
Tracy from Addicted to Books is an incredible intelligent lady who, although she writes not as often as I would like her to, can assess a book in a very succinct but accurate way, leaving nothing to add. Her style I try to copy (without much success) and her blog is a joy to read especially that she deals with a bit different stuff. After every visit I feel a bit more intelligent.
Jen from In the Closet with a Bibliophile is a tremendously good reviewer, with unique, personal approach and the ability of  persuading which is simply uncanny. We don't agree on every book (well, who does?) but I highly appreciate her opinions.
Finally, last but definitely not least, it's always a good idea to visit Books and Things, a blog written my Melissa. She's got incredible personality and reviews to match it, not to mention the fact that she loves dogs (and I love dogs and cats...) and her comments are so funny and clever!




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Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Armchair BEA Day 2: Giveaways galore!

Hello everybody and welcome to my blog. I can't be at BEA in New York as I don't live in the US so I'm very excited to be part of the Armchair BEA for the first time. 

I have an exceptional giveaway - two e-copies of The Alienist by Caleb Carr - a very good historical thriller (you can read my review here). As it is an e-book I will be able to ship internationally !!!

To enter, leave your e-mail address in the comments. I'll pick a winner next Monday morning. Good luck and enjoy!

Monday, 23 May 2011

Armchair BEA Day 1: Introduce yourself


Hello everybody and welcome to my blog. I can't be at BEA in New York as I don't live in the US so I'm very excited to be part of the Armchair BEA for the first time. 

My name is Bridget,  I'm from a middle-sized town somewhere in Poland. I started my blog "Books as portable pieces of thoughts" last year because I love to read, I read mainly in English and I enjoy improving my English skills. There was also a second reason: I have always enjoyed reading (even as a kid) and can't imagine how people live who don't read but somehow my family and friends don't share my passion, calling it a weird addiction. Perhaps they are right but it is my only addiction. Ok , I have some others: good coffee, history, hand-made jewellery, fine bone china...but nothing as serious as reading. 

Reading books makes me happy and whenever I leave the house I take with me a book or my brand-new, ereader which I am currently testing.

Ok, have a look around and feel free to leave a comment. Thanks for your visit!